April 2010
Dear Friends,
It's been awhile since my last newsletter and your emails and calls have been very touching.  I'm happy to say that both my Mom and Dad are doing much better and for that I am grateful.  The past year has been a tough one and for each peaceful day, I am truly grateful.  The Wooden Needle continues to do well and that is due to the constant patience and support of my terrific customers.  I promise you that I will do the very best I can to maintain the shop.  The inventory continues to expand with more threads and added canvas and cross stitch designers.  I am still happy to order items for you and when you choose The Wooden Needle over an on-line shop, I am so truly thankful. 

The stitch camp was canceled for March, but we hope to plan an even better one for November -- stay posted.  These special days together are such fun -- lots of chatting, laughing, eating and even a little stitching.

During the last stitch camp, it was suggested that I pull together some information for the many great needlework organizations and informational sites.  So here is a summary of some those to which I belong and read.  Enjoy!

*EGA: Embroiderer's Guild of America is a "national non-profit educational organization offering study and preservation of the heritage and art of embroidery."  You don't need to feel intimidated to join.  All levels of stitchers are members and this is a great way to learn.  Often classes and workshops are scheduled and you will be introduced to more than just cross stitch.  As a national member you have the opportunity to attend other chapters' classes (or you can join multiple chapters) and take advantage of the teachers they have.  Regional and national seminars are superb.  The member dues includes a subscription to the quarterly magazine "Needle Arts."  We are very lucky to have a small chapter here in VT and it meets in South Burlington the second Wednesday of the month. 
www.egausa.org

*ANG: American Needlepoint Guild "is an educational, non-profit organization whose purpose is educational and cultural development through participation in and encouragement of interest in the art of needlepoint. ANG defines needlepoint as any counted or free stitchery worked by hand with a threaded needle on a readily countable ground."  Unfortunately in VT, we don't have a chapter, but it doesn't stop me from being a "member-at-large" and enjoying all the other benefits.  The quarterly magazine "Needlepointer" is included in membership dues.  The website is one of the best on-line learning tools out there.
www.needlepoint.org

*Shining Needle Society is an on-line "friendly, supportive needlework group that seeks to provide connections for enthusiastic stitchers and the teachers who inspire them."  Membership is free (pay per class) and the opportunity for outstanding classes is outrageous.  I have shared this site with many of you and I hope you will all give it some attention.  I am NO computer guru (this newsletter doesn't even happen without the help of my "all patient, all-loving geek husband" yet I have never had to ask his help on any of the classes that I have taken (5 completed and 2 in the works).  The teachers are impeccable.  If there is a computer question and the teacher can't answer it, the moderators will jump right in and walk you through the problem.  It is a wonderful opportunity to take classes with nationally known teachers whom most of us would never be able to meet.
www.shiningneedlesociety.com

*Celebration of Needlework "is the oldest, continuously running needleart show in the U.S. and Canada."  A wonderful event!  Great opportunity for classes and a fine merchant mall.  A spectacular way to spend a weekend or at least a day depending on where you live.
www.celebrationofnw

*The Stitchers' Village "is a supportive global NeedleArts community which aims to bring together retailers, designers and the general stitching public in a safe, secure place and provide a venue for the stitching community to gather, learn and discover."  It produces a free monthly e-zine full of interesting info. 
www.stitchersvillage.com

*The Threadworx Journal is a "place of news, inspiration and all things ThreadworX fibers."  Although I don't carry the "ThreadworX" fiber line, this quarterly free newsletter is chock full of interesting information.
www.threadworx.typepad.com

*The Gift of Stitching is a monthly online magazine for cross stitchers.  It has informative articles and is full of great patterns from leading designers.  There is a subscription fee and you must download the pages which can be upwards of 30 pages.
www.thegiftofstitching.com.au

Finally, for my customers from out of state, when planning your next stay of course I want you to make The Wooden Needle your first stop, but after that you might want to check out other happenings in and around Stowe:

www.gostowe.com

Please remember to call the shop before traveling any distance.  If you call and I don't answer, please wait for a call back.  I may be busy with another customer or I may have to close unexpectedly.  Thank you!

**closing Thurs 4/15 @ noon thru Fri 4/16
    will re-open 4/17 @ 10:00 am

Enjoy this early Spring!  Get those gardens done now so you'll have plenty of time later to stitch on the porch!
Best wishes,
Kathy
The Wooden Needle